US sues Facebook to cancel purchase of WhatsApp and Instagram

While we have written and read a lot about the size of Facebook in a very short period of time, we are certainly unaware of its size. And this is not only due to the growth of its social network, but to the acquisition of potentially competing businesses. We are talking about WhatsApp or Facebook.

Facebook buys Instagram after switching to Android: so now what’s going to happen?

When Mark Zuckerberg’s company announced each of the two purchases, many shouted to heaven that it was de facto buying from the competition. And he tried it with other rivals like Snapchat, but it didn’t work because the firm led by Evan Spiegel didn’t want to be bought. And that’s not the only company to have in mind.

Facebook buys WhatsApp for $ 19 billion

It seems true that the legislation is slow, but it seems to be changing. The Federal Trade Commission, FCT for its acronym in English, will sue Facebook to cancel the purchase of WhatsApp and Instagram. And it won’t be the only one.

America wants more competition

Letitia James, the New York attorney general, released a statement announcing the lawsuit she and prosecutors in 47 other states have filed against Facebook. This request is in addition to that of the FCT.

According to the lawyer “dFor nearly a decade, Facebook has used its dominance and power as a monopoly to crush smaller rivals and eliminate competition. Facebook used large sums of money to acquire potential rivals before they could threaten the company’s dominance.“.

What seems obvious, given the company’s aggressive behavior, American executives now seem to dislike. Democratic and Republican politicians have made statements in recent months to this effect, but so far they have taken no action.

WhatsApp and Instagram must become independent from Facebook

The lawsuit says WhatsApp and Instagram are to operate as independent businesses, with no direct connection to Facebook.

This is reminiscent of what the European Union demanded to allow the purchase of WhatsApp by Facebook and its use on the territory of the old continent. Mark Zuckerberg said integrating WhatsApp and Facebook was next to impossible and began implementing it soon after.

Both the trial already presented by the attorneys general and the one that comes from the FCT are independent but there could be some coordination since both are looking for the same thing.

It remains to be seen whether these moves by US officials end the division of the company or whether, as it usually happens, it will ultimately be fought with a fine or with the promise of fixing things.